Even the good can be bad

I think I've mentioned in previous posts about how exciting it is to have the time and space in my life to focus on my own health - on working out, eating correctly and getting enough rest. And, it IS exciting. I still am a bit in shock that I enjoy going to the gym each day; I actually look forward to going and am disappointed when I can't make it for whatever reason. This is a GOOD thing.

It's also good and encouraging to see the fruit of this labor - I have more energy, feel better in general and am noticing my clothes are just a bit looser. (YEA!)

I knew I was in trouble, however, when I began to choose to workout over just about everything else in my life - most specifically, spending time with Jesus. Somehow, I could justify not getting up in the morning to spend time with Jesus and yet, no matter what, I'd make sure I rearranged my schedule to accommodate getting to the gym.

Add to that the ironic prayer I was praying - to see more of God's Kingdom breaking through into my every day life - and you see the quandary I'd created for myself.

Then, last week, it all hit me and I realized how I truly had been worshipping getting in shape in place of Jesus. Working out had become my first priority, my "first love."

How sad...how flimsy. How ridiculous to buy into the lie that getting in better shape is more fulfilling than the very love and presence of God!

It was actually disappointing to realize that I - this person who claims to have a really intimate relationship with Jesus - could so easily replace that all-fulfilling and all-freeing love with a flimsy satisfaction that I was looking and feeling better.

It's not that being healthy and working out is wrong...it just can't be the most important thing in my life.

What a fresh reminder that even the good can be bad sometimes....